State Sen. Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, has denied allegations that he slapped and grabbed the buttocks of a legislative aide four times in the 2016 legislative session, even though an investigation found “it was more likely than not” that the incidents occurred.

Baumgardner has denied the allegations, although he did voluntarily step down from his position as chair of a committee in the Senate this week. He will remain on three committees, one of which he will continue to chair.

We find the allegations made in a formal complaint against Baumgardner to be credible and also are swayed by the knowledge that another woman — Megan Creeden, a former legislative intern — has taken her allegations of an inappropriate comment Baumgardner made to the next level, making a formal complaint that will also be investigated by a third party selected by the state.

Additionally, we have learned through the reporting of KUNC that the senator has a reputation at the Capitol for inappropriate behavior that has made women he works with uncomfortable.

This is not the kind of person we would think residents of northwestern Colorado would want representing them at the General Assembly.

Baumgardner is vehement in his innocence and is unlikely to resign. He will be term-limited in 2020, but that is a long time for those in Summit, Garfield, Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt, Jackson and Grand counties to be represented by a public official tainted by scandal.

We are disappointed that Republican Senate leaders — Senate President Kevin Grantham and Majority Leader Chris Holbert — have not taken action against Baumgardner by removing all but one of his committee assignments to at least send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.

Instead, Grantham and Holbert ordered Baumgardner to take sensitivity training but then defended their colleague, saying the investigation was full of “inaccuracies, bias, conflicts of interest and inconsistencies.” They offered no specifics, which is unhelpful.

In workplace settings, cases frequently boil down to a question of accusations and denials. Those at the head of the organization must make a determination of who they believe and take action based on the evidence they have. Clearly Grantham and Holbert have decided they believe Baumgardner over his accusers. We do not.

We also believed the multiple women who accused Rep. Steve Lebsock of sexual harassment and called for the Democrat from Thornton to resign in November. Lebsock did not resign but was stripped of a committee chairmanship by House leaders and is effectively being shunned by lawmakers, who have shown a reluctance to work with him.

Sexual harassment has been tolerated for far too long in the Colorado General Assembly and we are disappointed that Republicans in the Senate are choosing to enable those bad actors who would abuse their power at the expense of a professional and civil workplace environment. Whether intentional or not, Grantham and Holbert have also sent a clear message to any potential victims about how their accusations will be treated if they find the courage to speak up.

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